Kaiser School of Anesthesia

Nursing Students SRNA

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Specializes in Surgical/Transplant ICU.

Hello,

I'm a Surgical ICU/Transplant ICU nurse at a large teaching hospital in a metro area. I have made the decision to apply to CRNA school in the fall of 2010. I stumbled across the Kaiser program and have done some independent research on my own. I am not from the California area so I have limited knowledge about Pasadena, California. Many post speak highly of this program. Does anyone have any words of advice about this school (application process) or the area of Pasadena.

Thanks for your help :)

I'm in my second year in the Kaiser program. This program was my top choice when I was applying and now that I am nearing the end I can say that I have not been disappointed with my training. The program is ranked high for a reason...John Nagelhout...and the rest of the professors. At this school the goal is not to beat you down or overwhelm you with details..Their goal is is to make you a strong, independent, diversified, anesthesia provider. They accomplish this by having affiliations with not only several Kaiser hospitals in the So Cal area...but also many other great teaching hospitals like UCLA, Riverside Co., and Navy hospital...and many others....The BEST part...your cases are your cases...no competition with residents like other programs. This a no BS program. It is integrated and you get into clinicals after your first semester. You work hard...but come out with more than double the AANA required numbers to graduate. I am from OH..and although the traffic sucks...coming out here for school was definitely worth it. Hope that helps

Specializes in Surgical/Transplant ICU.

Thank you....I simply feel like I have so much stuff to do before I can submit my application. It is an extremely competitive program and they don't use the GRE (I've got mixed emotions about that one).

Good luck

I actually took the GRE for my accel BSN program...trust me...it is a hoop you must jump through as part of the admission requirements at some Universities that CRNA schools are associated with....it has no bearing on how well you will do in anesthesia school...thats why Kaiser doesn't require it. Again..no BS here. Good luck

Specializes in ICU.

HI Mammothsnw!

Do you know how being an alternate works?

I got accepted as an alternate, but I dont currently live in California... I got an e-mail that says I need to have a CAli drivers license and car insurance by June 1st of this year! But my problem is that unless I get called for this fall if someone doesn't want their spot, I'd like to move home for the year and work/save money!

Also do they number the alternates? For example do you think they would tell me if I'm 1st to be called vs. 6th? I was told they accept 6 alternates

Thanks in advance!!

Missy

Hi Missy...I really do not know how the alternate system works. I can ask someone (the guy that sits next to me was an alternate) tommorrow to see if he knows. Good luck ..I hope you make it.

Specializes in ICU.

Thanks Mammoth!

At least I know I'm in for next year, I'm just wondering why they would require that I basically be a California resident a whole year in advance!

Looking forward to your reply!

Missy

separator.gifSorry to butt into your conversation but I am applying to Kaiser in the fall this year. Any words of advice? How was the interview? did they ask clinical questions? It is my first choice for school. Where did you shadow your CRNA or do you know any CRNA's I can shadow in the L.A area. Please get back to me. Much appreciated. Thanks.
Specializes in ICU.

The interview was a panel interview. Mostly personal questions. They did ask me what kind of patients I regularly take care of on my unit, and frequency of hemodynamic monitoring.

I am not from LA, but shadowed CRNA's when I was living in NY. I'd recommend calling the anesthesia department of your hospital and ask if you can shadow.

Did you also apply to NY CRNA prgrams, Missy121?

Specializes in ICU.

I applied to Albany, but I still have to complete my organic chemistry class. I want to be in California though!

Hey Missy121, if you don't mind sharing, what were your stats?

I actually got an interview at Kaiser this year but didn't get accepted.. :(

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